Handle device for foldable wheelchairs

Abstract

A handle device for use with a collapsible wheelchair, the wheelchair positionable between a first working position and a second collapsed position. The wheelchair having first and second generally horizontal handlebars extending rearward to facilitate movement of the wheelchair. The handle device comprising first and second substantially L-shaped members, each L-shaped member having a lower portion and an upper vertically oriented portion. The lower portion is adapted to receive the respective first and second horizontal handlebars therein. The upper portion extends substantially perpendicular to the lower portion, wherein the upper portion of each member upwardly extends beyond a height of the chair allowing the user to grasp each member without flexion of the torso.

Claims

1. A handle device for use with a collapsible wheelchair, the wheelchair positionable between a first working position and a second collapsed position, the wheelchair having first and second generally horizontal handlebars extending rearward to facilitate movement of the wheelchair, the handle device comprising first and second substantially L-shaped members, each L-shaped member having a lower portion and an upper vertically oriented portion, the lower portion adapted to receive the respective first and second horizontal handlebars therein, the upper portion extending substantially perpendicular to the lower portion, wherein the upper portion of each member upwardly extends beyond a height of the chair allowing the user to grasp each member without flexion of the torso, each L-shaped member having a locking device for securing each L-shaped member to the respective first and second handlebars of the wheelchair, the locking device including a slot contained on each lower portion of the first and second L-shaped members, and first and second opposing plates positioned along each side of the slot, each plate containing an aperture, the plates positionable towards one another by screw disposed within the apertures to lock the first L-shaped member to the first handlebar and the second L-shaped member to the second handlebar, wherein the wheelchair is permitted positioning between the first working position and the second collapsed position without any interference from either the first or the second L-shaped member.

2. The handle device of claim 1 wherein the lower portion of each L-shaped member is offset by an angle of less than 90 degrees from the respective upper portion.

3. A handle device for use with a collapsible wheelchair, the wheelchair positionable between a first working position and a second collapsed position, the wheelchair having first and second generally horizontal handlebars extending rearward to facilitate movement of the wheelchair, the handle device comprising: first and second substantially L-shaped members, each L-shaped member having a lower portion and an upper portion offset from one another by an angle of less than 90 degrees, the lower portion adapted to receive the respective first and second horizontal handlebars therein, the upper portion of each member upwardly extending beyond a height of the chair allowing the user to grasp each member without flexion of the torso, wherein the wheelchair is permitted positioning between the first working position and the second collapsed position without any interference from either the first or the second L-shaped member, and wherein no portion of the handle device rearwardly extends past a vertically oriented plane positioned tangentially to a most rearward point of each wheel of the wheelchair; and a locking mechanism to secure the first portion of each L-shaped member to the respective horizontal bar of the wheelchair, the locking mechanism including a slot contained on each lower portion of the first and second L-shaped members, and first and second opposing plates positioned along each side of the slot, the plates urged towards one another by a screw disposed therein to lock the first L-shaped member to the first handlebar and the second L-shaped member to the second handlebar.

4. An anti-theft device to prevent theft of a collapsible wheelchair, the wheelchair positionable between a first working position and a second collapsed position, the wheelchair having first and second generally horizontal handlebars extending rearward to facilitate movement of the wheelchair, the anti-theft device comprising first and second substantially L-shaped members, each L-shaped member having a lower portion and an upper vertically oriented portion, the lower portion adapted to receive and fixedly attach to the respective first and second horizontal handlebars by a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism including a slot contained on each lower portion of the first and second L-shaped members, and first and second opposing plates positioned along each side of the slot, the plates positionable towards one another by a screw disposable through the plates to lock the first L-shaped member to the first handlebar and the second L-shaped member to the second handlebar, wherein the upper portion extends upwardly beyond a height of the chair, wherein the height of the upper portion prevents the wheelchair to be placed within a vehicle, wherein the wheelchair is permitted positioning between the first working position and the second collapsed position without any interference from either the first or the second L-shaped member, and wherein no portion of the device rearwardly extends past a vertically oriented plane positioned tangentially to a most rearward point of each wheel of the wheelchair.

5. The anti-theft device of claim 4 wherein the lower portion of each L-shaped member is positioned less than 90 degrees from the respective upper portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handle device in accordance with the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the handle device in accordance with the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a front view of the handle device in accordance with the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a foldable wheelchair in an unfolded open position with a pair of handle devices in accordance with the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of a wheelchair with a pair of handle devices in accordance with the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a back view of the foldable wheelchair in a folded closed position with a pair of handle devices in accordance with the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a side view of the wheelchair with the handle devices of the present invention gripped by an assistant.

(8) FIG. 8 is a side view of the wheelchair with an alternate embodiment of the handle devices of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

(9) A wheelchair handle device of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. The handle device 10 is configured from a hollow tube or pipe, preferably metallic, but can be made from any suitable material, including flat materials. The handle device 10 has a generally L-shaped configuration, including a first lower connecting portion 12 and a second upper grasping portion 14. The first lower connection portion 12 and the second upper grasping portion 14 are preferably off-set from one another by an angle x of approximately 90 degrees, as illustrated in FIG. 2. However, it is well within the scope of the present invention that this off-set angle x be between 70 and 110 degrees to accommodate existing wheelchair handlebars 16 from a variety of manufacturers which may have an upward or downward canted handlebar 16. The first lower connecting portion 12 is sized such that the existing wheelchair handlebar 16 is disposable therein in order to attach the handle device 10 to the existing wheelchair handlebar 16.

(10) To facilitate the connection of the handle 10 to the handlebar 16, a locking mechanism 17 is provided. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the locking mechanism is an integral part of the first connecting portion 12 and includes a slot 18 positioned within a relative downward side of the connecting portion 12 extending inwardly from a terminal end. The slot 18 enables the first connecting portion 12 to inwardly flex in order to provide a compression fit about the wheelchair handlebar 16 when disposed within the first connecting portion 12. Plates 20 affix to the connecting portion 12 along each opposing edge of the slot 18. With the wheelchair handlebar 16 disposed within the first connecting portion 12, each attaching plate 20 is urged toward one another by a set of screws/bolts 24 disposed within apertures 22 contained within the plates 20. Once the screws/bolts 24 are tightened, the handle 10 is firmly attached to the wheelchair handlebar 16, as best illustrated in FIG. 4 with the foldable wheelchair 23 in a first open position. A rubber or plastic grip 26 disposes onto the second grasping portion 14 of the handle device 10 to facilitate gripping by the user or assistant.

(11) As illustrated in FIG. 5, no portion of the handle device 10, neither the first connecting portion 12 nor the second grasping portion 14, rearwardly extend past a vertical plane 28 running tangentially to the most rear portion of the wheelchair wheel 30. In not extending past this vertical plane 28, the handle devices 10 do not increase the footprint of the wheelchair, nor can the handle devices 10 become entangled with handle devices of other wheelchairs 23 when in close proximity to one another. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to allow the handle device 10 to extend past vertical plane 28, especially in circumstances where the manufacturer of the wheelchair 23 positions the wheels 30 in a more rearward position.

(12) As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the wheelchair is positioned into a second folded position, the handle devices 10 do not have to be removed as they do not interfere with either the positioning of the wheelchair 23 into the second folded position or with one another. It should also be noted that, while not included in FIG. 4, the wheelchair 23 as illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a cover 25 positioned over each locking mechanism 17 to provide a more aesthetic look, as well as prevent objects or persons entangling with the locking mechanism 17.

(13) As is known in the medical arts, the wrist is a complex series of joints that are formed around the carpal bones and the forearm bones including of the radius and the ulna. The wrist is capable of three sets of distinct movements, namely flexion and extension, supination and pronation, as well as ulnar deviation (ulnar flexion) and radial deviation (radial flexion). Ulnar deviation, otherwise known as ulnar flexion, is the movement of bending the wrist to the little finger, or ulnar bone, side. Supination describes the movement of rotating the forearm into a palm up position. Pronation describes the movement of rotating the forearm into a palm down position. Flexion describes the movement of bending the palm down, towards the wrist. The neutral position of the wrist is that position where the wrist is in straight alignment with the forearm: no flexion, extension, radial or ulnar deviation. The wrist is at the mid-point between supination and pronation. This is commonly called the handshake position. As illustrated in FIG. 7, once the handle device 10 of the present invention is attached to each existing wheelchair handlebar 16, the user or assistant can grasp the grasping portion 14 of each handle device 10 with the wrist in the relaxed handshake position, accommodating assistants from five feet in height to greater than six feet in height. The user or assistant also grips each second grasping portion 14 without having to bend or hunch over. The user can then maneuver the wheelchair 23 while standing in a generally upright position, thereby decreasing or eliminating discomfort which occurs in maneuvering wheelchairs of the prior art. Further, because of the height where the assistant is allowed to grasp the grasping portion 14, the assistant can get greater leverage, if necessary, by slightly raising the position the hands are on each grasping portion 14.

(14) FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the handle device 10 wherein the length of the second upper gripping portion 14 has been increased. In so doing, it has been discovered that handle devices 10 having the increased second upper gripping portion 14 act as theft deterrents, especially at airports and hospitals. The handle device 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8 provides added visibility so that those attempting to remove the device from the facilities will be more easily seen. The handle device 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8 also makes it extremely difficult to stow the foldable wheelchair into a car or van, thereby drastically reducing the number of wheelchairs taken from airports and hospitals.

(15) Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.